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Safe Environment Programs: To Protect the Faithful in the Future
Background Checks: required for those entrusted with the care and safety of children.All priests and deacons, as well as parish staff and volunteers (over the age of 18) who have regular contact with children, are required to obtain and submit the following background checks:Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check
http://www.psp.state.pa.us/psp/lib/psp/sp4-164.pdfPennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/Resources/Documents/Pdf/FillInForms/DPWchildabuse.pdf
Please note the process for volunteers: The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare requires that a copy of the results of your PA State Police Criminal Record Check be attached to your application for the Child Abuse History Clearance.In addition to the two Pennsylvania background checks, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Clearance is required if:
- you do not live in Pennsylvania
- currently live in Pennsylvania , but have lived somewhere else during the past two years
Contact the Office for Child and Youth Protection (215-587-2466) to obtain the FBI fingerprint card and learn where to submit it to be processed.
Training: Education and awareness are key to preventing the sexual abuse of children
Protecting God’s Children - for Adults
All priest and deacons, as well as parish staff and volunteers who have regular contact with children, must attend Safe Environment training. This training provides those involved in ministry and service to children with a greater understanding of their role as adults in our Church to be protectors of children, models of appropriate behavior and relationships, and advocates for those who are most vulnerable.
Click here for the locations and dates of the Spring 2008 training sessions. To register online, please click the following link: http://www.virtus.org/virtus/reg_list2.cfm?theme=0
Protecting God’s Children - for Parents
This program is part of the Church’s efforts to support parents in their responsibility to educate their children concerning personal safety.
Video Resource: A training session, which consists of a video presentation and facilitated discussion, addresses child sexual abuse and the information that parents need to share with their children in order to keep them safe. Contact the Safe Environment Program to learn more about scheduling this training for parents.
Click here for locations and dates of currently scheduled sessions. If you plan to attend one of these Parent Sessions, call the Office for Child and Youth Protection (215) 587-2466.
Written Resource: Practical Advice for Parents on Preventing Child Sexual Abuse
On-going Education: Information concerning the prevention of child sexual abuse and other child safety issues is available on the Virtus website (http://www.virtus.org). New bulletins are posted every two weeks.
Evelyn Brannan Tarpey coordinates these training programs and can be reached at etarpey@adphila.org or 215-587-2466.